What others have said about
Hon. Stefan R. Underhill

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 13463
Rating:2.7 Comments:
In the two cases I have been before him, one a contract dispute and one a civil rights dispute, he didn't grasp the genuine issues. Nor did he seem to care for constitutional rights or fair litigation conduct. He missed facts, and on reconsideration, remained entrenched in his position. Upon learning he missed facts because documents were destroyed by the defendants, he said not my problem. Take it another court. I see him as clearly biased for police defendants in civil rights cases, and framed the issues in the case so as to lead the jury to one conclusion.

I found his stepping off the bench to greet litigants after a decision a superficial gesture, and I had all I could do to keep from calling him stupid. Although calling him stupid may have been a good thing, because it would have gotten a new judge.

Litigant

Comment #: 11899
Rating:3.0 Comments:
Shows clear pro-establishment bias. The words of Judge Robert H. Bork in his book The Tempting of America are suited: "Legislation is far more likely to reflect majority sentiment while judicial activism is likely to represent an elite minority's sentiment". Also, Judge Underhill appears to reflect a political bias which may be related to his prior experience having worked as law clerk for Court of Appeals Judge Jon O. Newman.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 11463
Rating:3.0 Comments:
This judge apparently has no understanding of the law, and displays clear bias against the constitution and civil rights. He has displayed shocking contempt for basic constitutional rights.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 8962
Rating:3.8 Comments:
I had heard good things before my first substantive hearing with him and was disappointed. I like his emphasis on civility, but on the merits he was not as thoughtful as I had have hoped. It was a relatively complex case and he simply did not grasp some of the issues. He clearly favors business interests. I am in no hurry to appear in front of him again.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 7789
Rating:6.0 Comments:
A gentleman--truly a pleasure to appear before. Courteous, respectful and mild mannered.
That said, his docket is perpetually behind. It's not uncommon to wait months, pushing years, for decisions which is surprising, since they are usually superficial with little depth of a good understanding of the more complex issues.
Tends to favor big business, probably the result of his background.
Nice man, but unfortunately not as bright as he may think he is.

Prosecutor

Comment #: 6992
Rating:4.6 Comments:
The 2nd Circuit overturned Judge Underhill's judgment of acquittal in a drug conspiracy case after a jury found the defendant guilty. The judge's scholarship and reasoning skills are not the best. Case: 07-3018-cr. Quote: "We find that the government’s evidence was sufficient to prove that Hawkins not only purchased from the conspiracy with a known intent to resell, but he knowingly and intentionally joined and participated in it. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of acquittal and remand the case to the District Court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion."

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 6665
Rating:9.6 Comments:
Having tried both civil and criminal jury cases to verdict before Judge Underhill, and having over thirty years of experience in trial practice, I am very impressed with this jurist in virtually every category. He's a pleasure to deal with.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 1997
Rating:9.9 Comments:
Eminently fair judge. Great disposition - personable and friendly. Does not appear to inject his politics into his decisions - in fact a mark of how good a judge he has been is that no one really knows what his ideology is - and that is refreshing these days.